Create your account
← All careers

Elementary School Teacher

Teach the core subjects to children, with a degree and a state teaching license.

What it pays in the U.S.

Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

Median pay (national)$63,970
Typical range$47,960 – $104,340lowest to highest tenth of earners
Usual way inBachelor's degree

Wage figures are 2025 survey data for United States, shown nationally because no state figure was reported. They describe what people in this job earn now, not what any one person will be offered.

Demand in United StatesBright outlook

Employment is projected to change -2% between 2024 and 2034. About 91,000 openings are projected each year. CareerOneStop flags this career for: Numerous Job Openings.

What the work actually is

  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.

Read the full Occupational Outlook Handbook entry from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Licensing, by state

Licensing is set by each state, so there is no national answer. Choose a state above to see which licenses it requires for this career, or look one up with the CareerOneStop License Finder.

Certifications employers recognize

These are national certifications, issued by industry bodies rather than a state. Most are optional, but they are how you prove skill to an employer.

Apprenticeships, by state

Registered apprenticeships pay you while you train. Each state runs its own registration office, which is where to start when you want to find an open program.

Choose a state above to see the offices that register apprenticeships there.

Search open programs directly at apprenticeship.gov.

Now find the schools.

4Thought101 tracks the programs that train for this, their deadlines, and what you owe when. This page stays free whether you sign up or not.

Create your free account
Create your account